Crises recently has been ongoing between His Excellency the Executive Governor of Benue State,Rev.Fr.Dr.Hyacinth Iormem Alia and Honourable Terseer Ugbor the house of representative member representing Kwande-Ushongo Constituency over palliatives.
Hon.Ugbor sometimes ago, applied to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist him with palliatives to be shared to those displaced in his constituency as a result of herdsmen.The palliatives were released to him in Jos, as the palliatives arrived Makurdi the Benue state capital, according to the governor of Benue state it was taken to a private residence and offloading began.
Hon.Terseer Ugbor denied such claims and sued the governor for damaging his had earned reputation.
It a statement by Hon. Ugbor as obtained by 9News Nigeria,it reads
Dear Constituents,
While I am away in the United States of America (USA) for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the invitation of the Presidency, I have just been informed that NEMA has approved yet another batch of palliatives for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency based on my requests for more intervention, adding to the initial batch seized and packed in government house.
I have also been notified of the decision by the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia to involve the ICPC and EFCC in a matter of alleged palliative diversion that could be simply handled administratively by any responsible government who truly wishes well for its people.
In view of this new development, I have asked my lawyers to review the allegations with a view to taking appropriate action to protect my hard earned reputation and to put the records straight in court.
My decision to support the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced people in Kwande is not new or strange but has strangely offended the governor.
The role of a legislator, aside from lawmaking and executive oversight, is to provide support in facilitating benefits to his or her people. Any other state government will thank me for my diligent effort in facilitating this huge relief materials to the state. Unfortunately, we live in strange times in Benue.
The allegation that SEMA was not notified is premature because the seizure of the palliatives happened as soon as the palliatives arrived the state and before any offloading, raising suspicion that this entire episode was premeditated for political reasons.
The allegation that the palliatives were offloaded at a private residence is very malicious because the truck was parked in front of a popular warehouse in Makurdi, not a secret or hidden location anywhere.
The decision to store the palliatives in the state capital until I’m back to personally supervise the distribution, and in view of the fact that Kwande does not have a large and secure enough warehouse to safely store such large palliatives is logical and sensible.
I therefore call on the good people of Kwande/Ushongo to remain steadfast and peaceful in the face of the current hardship and challenges in the state, for as the bible says in Psalm 30:5, Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
On the other hand;His Excellency has since ordered that a thorough investigation be conducted by the Independent corrupt practices Commission {ICPC} and Economic and financial Commission {EFCC}.The Governor Stated this yesterday at the government house in Makurdi,the governor who travelled to the United Kingdom to attend the Tiv day celebration of all the Tiv leaving in UK.
According to the governor,things meant for the internally displaced persons {IDPs} must reach to them instead of diverting it to private homes,he also child’s the Honourable member to stop being dishonorably.
